The Upper and Middle School divisions at RCDS marked the 25th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks with special programming focused on reflection and remembrance. 

Upper School students attended a divisional Community Meeting featuring a faculty and staff panel, while Middle School students participated in two sessions reflecting on the events of September 11 and their lasting impact.

At the Upper School assembly, History & Social Science Department Chair Clemmie Everett opened the meeting with historical context before introducing the speakers. Eight RCDS faculty and staff members shared their personal experiences and connections to the day 25 years ago.

Upper School Dean of Students and English Teacher Donald Kyle recalled the ninth-grade orientation bus trip to New York City, while former Middle School Language Arts Teacher and Parent Ginny Black P’ 03  shared her memories of that day on campus. Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship Julie McCrory ’03 shared her personal account as an RCDS student who was on the eleventh-grade trip to Washington, D.C., at the time of attacks.

Offering perspectives from outside of RCDS, Upper School Science Teacher Natasha Dooley shared her story as a college student at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; Upper School Spanish Teacher Leslie Spalding discussed having recently moved to Spain and hearing the news from home; and Director of Security Mike Kenny detailed his experience as a member of the Rye Police Department. 
Bringing the reflections to New York City, Interim Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Joshua Rivera ’15 recalled his father’s work at Ground Zero as a member of the FDNY, and Security team member Jeff Gironda shared his experience in Midtown Manhattan with the NYPD on the days to follow.

After the Community Meeting, students continued the conversation in advisory groups, where they listened, asked questions, and deepened their understanding of this defining moment in history. Students were encouraged to ask family members about their memories of September 11.
The moving meeting emphasized the importance of personal testimony and provided an important opportunity to hear firsthand accounts, connect personal experiences to the historical record, and better understand the profound and lasting impact of the attacks on individuals, communities, and the country.

Later in the week, the Middle School hosted two informative and reflective sessions on September 11. With one session for fifth and sixth graders and one for seventh and eight graders, Middle School Deans Kate Marlow, Matt Rosolen, Tim Silverman, and Sarah Strong educated students on the historical events of the day and ways in which they can remember and honor those lost.